Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilization w/DVD Burner
by Panasonic
Our Price: $399.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
See more digital camera details and other models
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: PanasonicModel: HDC-SD5BNDLE
Product features:
- Optical Zoom - 10x Variable Speed; Focal Length 3.0 - 30 mm, Film Camera Equivalent 42.9 - 429 mm (16 - 9)(Moving Picture/Still Picture) Leica Dicomar lens
- Accepts 37mm Filters
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- Up to 700x Digital-zoom
- 2 Channel Stereo Zoom mic Dolby Digital AC3 2Channel sound
- Adobe Premiere Elements 9 [Old Version]
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
Digital camera reviews of Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilization w/DVD Burner
Digital camera Review: Awesome little camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I will update this review later, after I have had an opportunity to use the several key functions better.
For now, I wanted to address some of the questions raised by the 2 previous reviews.
Although Amazon's description doesn't make it clear, the camera should come with everything you'll need to record, play and store full-HD video (except for the SDHC card). Apparently, there's more than one entry in Amazon for this item, with different prices. Search for "HDC-SD5" to show them all. That includes all cables, software (to transfer to your computer) and a stand-alone DVD burner/player (in case you don't have a computer). True, DVD+ formats are not supported. Just buy new DVD- disc.
If you want to play HD video directly from the DVDs, you'll have to also buy a Blu-ray player (PS3 anyone? This is endless...). You can always play the DVDs (in AVCHD format) via the supplied DVD player hooked up to the camcorder hooked up to your TV. Or you can play them in your computer (if you have a decent large monitor) using the supplied software.
In your computer, with the supplied software, you can also make videos in the DVD-video (mpeg2) format, and play anywhere, but they'd be in standard resolution, not HD. Incidentally, the supplied software is dog slow. It took 20 mins to make a DVD out of my 3 min test video.
UPDATE:
The video quality is OK. Much inferior to what you see from off-the-air TV signal. I'd say even a bit inferior to compressed satellite HD signal. But it's a lot better than what I'm used to from my old Sony Hi8.
In any case, I compared it with a friend's Canon mini-DV camera (also HD) and quality is equivalent.
So, I can't say it's the camera's fault. Maybe the AVCHD spec calls for too much video compression. OTOH, I appreciate that I can store 80 mins of footage in an 8GB card, which fits in one (dual layer) DVD disc.
The quality of the still pictures are horrific. Worse than that from a good quality camera phone. Forget about that feature.
The camera is too small for my hands. I have trouble using the mini thumb joystick (which is essential for controlling all features in this camera). I don't think the camera would lose any sex appeal if it were, say, 120% of its current size in every dimension. Maybe Panasonic would lose the "smallest 3 CCD HD camera in the world" claim, but it would be a lot more functional.
Clearly, the Achilles heel is the 10x (optical) zoom. You can have up to 700x digital zoom, but that's such a bogus feature, it's like cheating yourself.
Amazon doesn't let me revise my rating, but I'd give this camera a solid 4 star, not 5.
More Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilization w/DVD Burner reviews:
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1 2
Summary of Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilization w/DVD Burner
Full hi-def 1920 x 1080i resolution3CCD technology offers broadcast like quality while providing vivid color fine detail and rich gradationAdvanced Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) corrects hand shake for no video deteriorationHigh-end multicoated Leica lens prevents ghosting and glarePre-Rec function records for 3 seconds before start of video shootingTransfer video directly from the HDC-SD5 to a standard DVD disc with included DVD Burner/Player2 5/8" W x 2 5/8" H x 5 5/16" DUses SD or SDHC memory cardsIncludes DVD burner/player Li-Ion battery remote control hand strap USB and AV cables AC adapter and softwareCamcorders
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